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More Trump Effect -- Digby
https://digbysblog.net/2025/05/10/more-trump-effect/
I wrote about the world’s democracies moving against Trumpism for Salon last week and it got quite a bit of play. The rightward movement, even the anti-incumbent push we’ve seen in recent times seems to be halted.
I haven’t written anything about the new pope because it’s not really my area. But it is fascinating to me that it appears that the Catholic Church is making a similar statement of resistance. It has enormous clout and I have to give credit where credit is due that they decided to make such a statement. They not only chose someone from the progressive wing of the church they chose and American to rival the fame and influence of you-know-who. Good on them.
Politico reports:
I’m pretty sure Trump thinks it will be a meaningful moment for the pope to meet him not the other way around. He’ll soon realize that his cult is not happy:
. . .
I haven’t written anything about the new pope because it’s not really my area. But it is fascinating to me that it appears that the Catholic Church is making a similar statement of resistance. It has enormous clout and I have to give credit where credit is due that they decided to make such a statement. They not only chose someone from the progressive wing of the church they chose and American to rival the fame and influence of you-know-who. Good on them.
Politico reports:
When the late Pope Francis challenged Donald Trump on immigration, climate change and poverty during the president’s first term, the White House and its allies responded with a collective shrug.
But with Catholic Cardinals choosing an American to lead the Church for the first time in its history, that will change. The Chicago-born Robert Prevost, America’s first pope, has a worldview that appears to be at odds with “America First.”
Elected on just the second day of voting, Pope Leo could become a global rival to the president, one who has the homegrown credibility to sway Catholic Republicans more than his predecessor did and speak with a voice that has a louder boom here in the U.S.
Trump on Thursday immediately praised the selection of Leo, who lived most of his adult life in Peru, promising to meet with the new pope soon.
“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
But it’s not difficult to imagine the looming conflicts to come. Like his predecessor, Leo hails from a more progressive, inclusive wing of Catholicism, preaching peace and the importance of building bridges in his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, though it appears he still holds traditional Catholic views on LGBTQ+ issues.
But with Catholic Cardinals choosing an American to lead the Church for the first time in its history, that will change. The Chicago-born Robert Prevost, America’s first pope, has a worldview that appears to be at odds with “America First.”
Elected on just the second day of voting, Pope Leo could become a global rival to the president, one who has the homegrown credibility to sway Catholic Republicans more than his predecessor did and speak with a voice that has a louder boom here in the U.S.
Trump on Thursday immediately praised the selection of Leo, who lived most of his adult life in Peru, promising to meet with the new pope soon.
“It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!” Trump posted on Truth Social.
But it’s not difficult to imagine the looming conflicts to come. Like his predecessor, Leo hails from a more progressive, inclusive wing of Catholicism, preaching peace and the importance of building bridges in his first address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, though it appears he still holds traditional Catholic views on LGBTQ+ issues.
I’m pretty sure Trump thinks it will be a meaningful moment for the pope to meet him not the other way around. He’ll soon realize that his cult is not happy:
One of the president’s most prominent Catholic allies, Steve Bannon, called Leo the “worst pick for MAGA Catholics,” deeming him the “anti-Trump pope.”
“This is an anti-Trump vote by the globalists that run the Curia — this is the pope Bergoglio and his clique wanted,” said Bannon, referring to Francis by his given name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
A group of hard-line conservative Catholics had launched what was essentially a lobbying campaign for a more conservative pope. One of the hard-right candidates, Athanasius Schneider, a bishop in Kazakhstan, had claimed that refugees in Europe are a “mass invasion” leading to the spread of Islam, while another, American Cardinal Raymond Burke, actually endorsed Trump.
“This is an anti-Trump vote by the globalists that run the Curia — this is the pope Bergoglio and his clique wanted,” said Bannon, referring to Francis by his given name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
A group of hard-line conservative Catholics had launched what was essentially a lobbying campaign for a more conservative pope. One of the hard-right candidates, Athanasius Schneider, a bishop in Kazakhstan, had claimed that refugees in Europe are a “mass invasion” leading to the spread of Islam, while another, American Cardinal Raymond Burke, actually endorsed Trump.
. . .